I also have a healthy concern with flying, especially over water (they would never recover my beautiful corpse), the whole concept of it still seems amazing to me. But you have to remember that it is absolutely the safest way to travel. Statisically you can get on a commercial aircraft everyday for 1000 years and you probably won't crash. You definitely can't say the same about a car. Air Canada transports over 30 million passengers a year, and the last fatal accident was in 1983.
According to my logbook from my glider pilot training, I was taught how to do slips very early in the program (flight #10). My first solo was flight #26, for comparison.
For those of us with no interesting in learning all the details of flying, can someone give a brief overview of what a slip is?
__________________
"Wake up, Luigi! The only time plumbers sleep on the job is when we're working by the hour."
The majority of the people who died in that crash drowned because they inflated their life jackets before exiting the plane. I saw it on a Mayday episode and it has stuck with me since - you can't get out when the plane fills with water because you're floating at the top of the cabin and can't get low enough to swim out the doors.
Many more would have survived if they had remembered that. Hopefully everyone here takes note - I sure do now.
The other thing I always do is count the rows to the exit (and doors to the exits in hotels before I go to sleep). You never know when you won't be able to see anything but you can always feel rows.
I love flying too, or at least I love the idea of flying; these days flying is not so great (tight seats, delays, miserable fellow travellers).
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For those of us with no interesting in learning all the details of flying, can someone give a brief overview of what a slip is?
It's a technique where the pilot tilts the wings of the aircraft one way but then applies rudder in the opposite direction. It looks like the plane is moving sideways. The manoeuvre is very useful because it allows you to rapidly lose altitude while maintaining a constant airspeed (usually when you lose altitude your speed increases because you're trading potential energy for kinetic energy). This is especially valuable for glider pilots who don't want to overshoot the landing area but only get one chance to land; if you're coming in too high, you can use a forward slip to burn off altitude while still maintaining a safe landing speed.
Here's a good video showing what it looks like:
And here's what it looks like from the cockpit. Notice for most of the approach the nose is pointed to the right of the runway, but the plane is moving directly towards the centreline.
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Here's another one. The uploader provided this description explaining why slipping is useful:
Quote:
Flying into Savannah/Hilton Head airport, we came in fast trying to stay ahead of the following jet traffic behind us. After slowing on final approach, we were high so had to loose altitude quickly without gaining speed. My favorite maneuver was necessary - the slip.
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There was a time when I was an anxious flyer. Then one day I was talking with a retired pilot/drinking buddy of mine and he taught me the basic physics of how planes stay in the air (lift, thrust etc...) over the course of a couple of beers. Now nothing bothers me when I'm flying. I want to look out the window and really experience the flight now because I know planes don't just fall out of the air. I think if people learned a little bit of the basic science involved it would go a long way to calming any anxiety they feel when flying.
I am leaving for my first trip overseas on Tuesday.
I used to love flying, but when I was about 17 had a terrible experience flying Montreal to Calgary. (Turbulence, delays, sickness)
Since then I developed a fear of flying. I'm forced to travel domestically often for work, usually around Western Canada. I have found that a few good drinks can usually steady me enough to get through it. But 9 hours is a far cry from 2.
Im curious if any other CP members share this fear? Or others methods to help relax and enjoy. I do not want to let this fear stop me from seeing the world, but I also don't think it can be good to drink for 8 hours on a plane.
Any advice or personal stories?
I usually just check in, get rid of my bags. I then go up to the second floor outside across the road in front of the hotel and smoke a big fatty.
You will sleep right after your meal for about 5 hours.
I only fly a couple times a year and when I do it's for vacation purposes so needless to say I love flying. Always fun for me! My daily commute through 90kms of fields and bush dodging deer, moose, and any other animal is alot more dangerous.
Right before I flew to Africa last summer, I loaded my iPod with a few movies and TV shows for the flight. I quickly ran out of things to watch, and put on United 93 without really thinking about the subject matter. Partway through, I looked up and the guy beside me seemed in shock that I was watching a flick about 9/11 in the middle of a long flight.
Unfortunately, I think for most people with a real fear of flying, it is no longer a logical or rational fear. Explaining safety stats and theory of flight often doesn't help, and I think for those people I would suggest professional help in dealing with it.
If a better understanding of some of the 'behind the scenes' stuff about flying and airlines would help you, then there are good resources on here as you can see, and I would be happy to answer any questions as well about the airline side of things specifically.
It is an extremely safe (statistically) form of travel, and safety is paramount to everything we do. Very good maintenance, very new airplanes, and very experienced and well trained pilots. And the same things can generally be said for most reputable western airlines (buyer beware for African/Eastern European/some Asian airlines).
One last thing about turbulence specifically.....while it is often something people talk about when relating a 'scary' experience, it is one of the least of potential risks. When is the last time someone heard of an airliner (or any airplane) crashing due to turbulence? Cause I can't think of it.
Turbulence is uncomfortable, keeps you from getting up to go to the lavatory to drain your last couple of drinks, and worst of all prevents you from getting another. But as long as you are belted in so you don't bounce around, there is minimal risk from a safety standpoint.
I compare it to driving down a bumpy road; it may be uncomfortable, but you don't sit there afraid that the wheels are going to fall off and you'll careen into a tree. Next time you feel bumps in flight, just imagine you are driving along a bad pothole riddled road, make sure your belt is snug, and get back to your book or movie.
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Right before I flew to Africa last summer, I loaded my iPod with a few movies and TV shows for the flight. I quickly ran out of things to watch, and put on United 93 without really thinking about the subject matter. Partway through, I looked up and the guy beside me seemed in shock that I was watching a flick about 9/11 in the middle of a long flight.
When I fly home from Vancouver on the 930pm flight, May Day is usually on discovery. I normally watch it, if no one is sitting beside me. lol
__________________
"we're going to win game 7," Daniel Sedin told the Vancpuver Sun.
Unfortunately, I think for most people with a real fear of flying, it is no longer a logical or rational fear. Explaining safety stats and theory of flight often doesn't help, and I think for those people I would suggest professional help in dealing with it.
If a better understanding of some of the 'behind the scenes' stuff about flying and airlines would help you, then there are good resources on here as you can see, and I would be happy to answer any questions as well about the airline side of things specifically.
It is an extremely safe (statistically) form of travel, and safety is paramount to everything we do. Very good maintenance, very new airplanes, and very experienced and well trained pilots. And the same things can generally be said for most reputable western airlines (buyer beware for African/Eastern European/some Asian airlines).
One last thing about turbulence specifically.....while it is often something people talk about when relating a 'scary' experience, it is one of the least of potential risks. When is the last time someone heard of an airliner (or any airplane) crashing due to turbulence? Cause I can't think of it.
Turbulence is uncomfortable, keeps you from getting up to go to the lavatory to drain your last couple of drinks, and worst of all prevents you from getting another. But as long as you are belted in so you don't bounce around, there is minimal risk from a safety standpoint.
I compare it to driving down a bumpy road; it may be uncomfortable, but you don't sit there afraid that the wheels are going to fall off and you'll careen into a tree. Next time you feel bumps in flight, just imagine you are driving along a bad pothole riddled road, make sure your belt is snug, and get back to your book or movie.
I know you can rule out turbulence in either matter... Turbulence is the fun part of flying though.
Had a good drop flying into Honolulu last year, my cup of pop lifted about 6 inches into the air and came crashing and spilling, while a lady puked all over her self. epic.
__________________
"we're going to win game 7," Daniel Sedin told the Vancpuver Sun.
As you say, neither of those were caused by turbulence. Not that it is an impossibility, but neither is being hit by a meteorite. Now that is something I sometimes ponder while cruising along at night, and there is nothing anyone could do about that.
Of course the same risk exists if driving, or walking, or just laying in bed.
I know a few people who have struggled with this and here's what I can offer.
Drugs: There are effective ones for occasional use but be careful about how addictive many are and side effects they may have. Doctors often downplay the negatives too much. Alcohol can possibly help but from the people I've known with a big enough fear it really doesn't work. Sleeping pills may help as many have suggested but I've known more than one people that couldn't get on the plane at the gate and obviously you have to get in your seat before you knock yourself out.
Caffeine: can heighten or even be a major reason behind anxiety. Skip it the day you're flying unless you get headaches from missing out on it.
Breathing exercises: can be very helpful in keeping things under control when anxiety hits. At the very least just work on taking deep breaths. If you want more detailed help just google it.
Hypnosis: Many people are skeptical but it really can do a lot of good. Just think about what hypnotists can make people do in those comedy stage shows. My uncle never got any needles for decades because of a phobia. He went to a hypnotist for one session, got his shots the next day and even years later with no issues without ever going back to a hypnotist.
More Info: I think there's a bunch of websites and books that are out there for this.
Unfortunately, I think for most people with a real fear of flying, it is no longer a logical or rational fear. Explaining safety stats and theory of flight often doesn't help, and I think for those people I would suggest professional help in dealing with it.
If a better understanding of some of the 'behind the scenes' stuff about flying and airlines would help you, then there are good resources on here as you can see, and I would be happy to answer any questions as well about the airline side of things specifically.
It is an extremely safe (statistically) form of travel, and safety is paramount to everything we do. Very good maintenance, very new airplanes, and very experienced and well trained pilots. And the same things can generally be said for most reputable western airlines (buyer beware for African/Eastern European/some Asian airlines).
One last thing about turbulence specifically.....while it is often something people talk about when relating a 'scary' experience, it is one of the least of potential risks. When is the last time someone heard of an airliner (or any airplane) crashing due to turbulence? Cause I can't think of it.
Turbulence is uncomfortable, keeps you from getting up to go to the lavatory to drain your last couple of drinks, and worst of all prevents you from getting another. But as long as you are belted in so you don't bounce around, there is minimal risk from a safety standpoint.
I compare it to driving down a bumpy road; it may be uncomfortable, but you don't sit there afraid that the wheels are going to fall off and you'll careen into a tree. Next time you feel bumps in flight, just imagine you are driving along a bad pothole riddled road, make sure your belt is snug, and get back to your book or movie.
and this, I meant to quote it in my first post and messed up... good post
Unfortunately, I think for most people with a real fear of flying, it is no longer a logical or rational fear. Explaining safety stats and theory of flight often doesn't help, and I think for those people I would suggest professional help in dealing with it.
If a better understanding of some of the 'behind the scenes' stuff about flying and airlines would help you, then there are good resources on here as you can see, and I would be happy to answer any questions as well about the airline side of things specifically.
It is an extremely safe (statistically) form of travel, and safety is paramount to everything we do. Very good maintenance, very new airplanes, and very experienced and well trained pilots. And the same things can generally be said for most reputable western airlines (buyer beware for African/Eastern European/some Asian airlines).
One last thing about turbulence specifically.....while it is often something people talk about when relating a 'scary' experience, it is one of the least of potential risks. When is the last time someone heard of an airliner (or any airplane) crashing due to turbulence? Cause I can't think of it.
Turbulence is uncomfortable, keeps you from getting up to go to the lavatory to drain your last couple of drinks, and worst of all prevents you from getting another. But as long as you are belted in so you don't bounce around, there is minimal risk from a safety standpoint.
I compare it to driving down a bumpy road; it may be uncomfortable, but you don't sit there afraid that the wheels are going to fall off and you'll careen into a tree. Next time you feel bumps in flight, just imagine you are driving along a bad pothole riddled road, make sure your belt is snug, and get back to your book or movie.
I am afraid of flying to the point that I would rather take the VIA from Vancouver to Toronto (did it 4 times). Eventually, I explained it to my doctor and he prescribed me some drugs for when I have to fly. I know some people might not like that approach, but I like it. A few drinks help as well.
__________________
"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
Last edited by FlamesAddiction; 08-19-2011 at 09:41 AM.
